XP OEM and Activate problem.

turnip · #1 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 04:24 PM

Rebuilt a Mesh AMD Athlon Thunderbird 700 CPU computer.

New Graphics card, new 80GB Seagate Barracuda hard drive and new Mesh Power Drive.

All went well and system was up and running. No other programs were installed. COA attached to computer and relevant CDs and documentation attached. I then had it delivered to a young lad who's Dad could not afford to buy him a computer.

The following day I received a message saying the computer would not switch on. I had the computer returned and foundthe on/off switch had been presssed too hard and had ejected the smallpush switch. Having checked the coninuity of the wiring I reassembled the switch. At switch on the computer powers up but the monitor remains blank.

Keyboard and mouse have power but have no effect. I have removed the battery, waited about three minutes and then replaced it. Still cannot access the BIOS.

After Installing XP here was a delay in ahving the comoputer delivered. I suspect the 'activation' period may have expired. Any help appreciated.

brain_damage · #2 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 04:54 PM

Hi and welcome to D-A-L

was the machine running OK before he broke the switch?

do you get any beeps from the machine?

brain_damage · #3 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

HI,

No beeps and hard drive LED does not light although there is power to the drive and it runs. Also it will not switch off until I disconnect the mains lead.

I would check all connection between the front panel and the motherboard.

turnip · #4 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 05:27 PM

Machine working well. XP windows tour checked. No other program installed. Left it to the young lad to 'Activate' (with his dad's help).

No beeps. Computer will not turn off without disconnecting the power supply.
Hard drive runs but the LED does not light up.

brain_damage · #5 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 06:08 PM

no beeps doesn't sound to good.

check all connections.

jephree · #6 (**permalink**) 28-02-2007, 02:09 AM

Also start it once without the RAM and see if it beeps then.

As to the Windows Activation it would have no bearing at this level. Not until Windows starts.

turnip · #7 (**permalink**) 28-02-2007, 11:37 AM

Have checked all connections to the motherboard. All OK. On/Off switch now operates normally. However, H.D. Green (or Red) LED does not light although power is present and the drive is new. (Working after initial setup)

Also tried without Ram.

Result in both cases as before. H.D. LED does not light. No Beep.

Thoughout all the green LED on the 3 1/2" Floppy remains on.

jephree · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 04:34 AM

Disconnect the floppy drive and try again.

Verify the hard drive is on the Primary Master and the jumpers are set to Master.

Also do you know if your case speaker ever worked? Have you ever heard beeps? Usually the computer will beep once upon a successful BIOS POST.

turnip · #9 (**permalink**) 01-03-2007, 08:15 PM

jephree

The jumpers on the Primary Master are set to Master. The speakers do work. Checked by playing a CD.

Thanks to the assistamce I have been given I now have the computer up and running. The odd thing is the Master Drive is shown as Drive F and I only have one hard drive installed. Can I just rename this as Drive C?

jephree · #10 (**permalink**) 02-03-2007, 01:57 AM

The BIOS beeps come thru either a small case speaker or one mounted on the motherboard. If you do not hear a beep when you power on the computer then such a speaker is not working.

Unfortunately you cannot change the System drive letter.

I would suggest reinstalling and make certain that the destination for XP is C:

You can leave it as is but with the System on a drive other than C: it can become problematic. Do you have other Operating Systems installed? When you are in XP does it show as F:\Windows\etc.?